The “cognitive reserve hypothesis” assumes that persons engaged in life-long brain stimulating activities protect their brains from cognitive decline over the course of their lives. The more you daily challenge your brain with stimulating activities, the more likely you are to maintain your current level high of mental acuity. Like recharging your phone, your brain needs periodic boosting to preserve regular intellectual activity.

Continued employment, social engagements, puzzles, and books are all examples of ways to constantly challenge our brains. An App site, Luminosity Brain Teaser is an empowering site that will test your intellect and with repeated use, will help to power-charge your brain.

Currently there are several shows to help you recharge your brain. My family’s favorite show (other than Duck Dynasty) is Brain Games on Nat Geo channel. Yesterday, “Megan” was in the office sharing information she had learned on Brain Games. This 11-year old was so excited to share with me about the brain teaser she had just figured out. Her mother tested me on the reverse triangle test in which a word was repeated within the sentence of the reverse triangle. However, when I read the sentence I failed to identify the hidden doubling of the word “the”. Really difficult stuff.

So, get busy and get your brain working. Watching TV is NOT the way to stimulate the brain. In fact, it is well known that your EEG reports (brain waves) are more active while sleeping than watching TV. In other words, get your mental exercise because, when it comes to your brain, if you don’t use it, you may lose it!